Tuesday June 26, 2007

ACC Running Back Rankings

ACC Running Back Rankings
This is a solid year for running backs in the Atlantic Coast Conference. I would think that nine teams feel pretty good about their situation at running back. Considering the quarterbacks are down, I would expect the running games across the league to be the focus of many offenses.

1. Clemson-A+
See Monday’s blog for in-depth analysis of Clemson’s running backs.

2. NC State-A+
The Starter-Toney Baker carried the ball 157 times for 688 yards and six touchdowns last season. Baker is a strong, physical back that also has breakaway speed. He has a great work ethic and should have a great year in this new offense.
The Depth- Andre Brown might be better than Baker. Last season he had 124 carries for 658 yards and four scores. Brown is a little faster than Baker. Both are big backs with terrific speed. Again, I look for both to have big years under O’Brien. Jamelle Eugene is a good third team back but will have a hard time getting carries.
The Future- State is recruiting several backs like Brandon Barnes in an attempt to sign their future as no one on campus is close to Baker and Brown’s talents.

3. Virginia Tech-A
The Starter-Brandon Ore is the best back in the league according to some. He is another physical back that breaks tackles. Last season he had 241 carries for 1,137 yards and 16 touchdowns. Ore might be the most important player in this league because VT cannot win without him.
The Depth- Kenny Lewis carried the ball 54 times for 237 yards and two scores. The former minor league baseball player is a solid back up. George Bell came out with a lot of promise but has been injured. Ethan Lewis will provide quality depth.
The Future- The Hokies like both backs they signed last year in Darren Evans and Josh Oglesby.

4. Miami-A-
The Starter-Javarris James is not as talented as his cousin Edgerrin James but he is a talented back. Last year as a freshman he had 175 carries for 802 yards and four scores.
The Depth- Charlie Jones looked like the next great Miami back but injuries have held him back. Last year he totaled 61 carries for 206 yards and four touchdowns. Darren Thomas is a solid backup.
The Future- Miami thinks they signed the next great one when they re-signed Graig Cooper after a year at prep school.

5. Boston College-A-
The Starter-LV Whitworth is a prototypical big, powerful back from the northeast. The 215-pounder had 174 carries for 791 yards and four touchdowns last season.
The Depth- Andre Callender is one of the most productive backups in the country. Last year he had 146 carries for 633 yards and three touchdowns. Both Whitworth and Callender are exceptional receivers out of the backfield.
The Future- Jeff Smith is one of the five fastest players in the ACC.

6. Georgia Tech-A-
The Starter-Tech was second in the league in rushing last year. Tashard Choice had a phenomenal year with 297 carries for 1473 yards and 12 touchdowns. He should have another good year but he will be the focus of defensive coordinators because Calvin Johnson is gone.
The Depth- Rashaun Grant is solid and Jamaal Evans are serviceable but they will have a hard time holding off the freshmen.
The Future- Jonathan Dwyer might be the number two guy because he is an incredible talent. Roddy Jones is another top notch talent.

7. Florida State-B
The Starter-FSU has had some great backs in recent years but have not committed to the running game. This year they are not as talented but new offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher will run it. The last two years the Noles have averaged 97 and 94 yards per game respectively. Antoine Smith had 88 carries for 456 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore.
The Depth- Marcus Sims suffered a concussion early last year and had only eight carries for 160 yards. Jamaal Edwards came to Tallahassee with high expectations but has not had much of a chance. Russell Ball is another talent waiting in the wings.
The Future- FSU is currently recruiting many of the nation’s top backs like Darrell Scott.

8. Maryland-B-
The Starter-Maryland’s backs are a lot like Boston College in that they are powerful backs that break tackles. Lance Ball is a 225-pound back that had 174 carries for 815 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Depth- Keon Lattimore is similar to Ball in that he is not a guy that can make you miss but can run through your defenders. Last season he had 160 carries for 743 yards and three touchdowns.
The Future- Red-shirt freshmen Morgan Green and Da’Rei Scott are two highly regarded backs that will get their shots next season because Ball and Lattimore are seniors.

9. Wake Forest-B-
The Starter-Wake suffered a bunch of injuries last year and had to resort to running the ball with their wide receivers. Micah Andrew missed most of last season and had only 256 yards and two scores.
The Depth- DeAngelo Bryant is a huge back but he also missed time last year. He came to Winston-Salem with high promise but he has not been as productive as possible.
The Future- Josh Adams is the highest rated back to sign with Wake Forest under Grobe. He is the breakaway threat that could have a huge career.

10. North Carolina-C
The Starter-The new staff opened up the competition everywhere but no one emerged at running back. Richie Rich was a bad cartoon and is not much better as a back but he may be the starter. Rich is the fastest of the backs in Chapel Hill.
The Depth- Barrington Edwards was all-everything coming out of high school but he was beaten out at LSU and has not done much at UNC. Anthony Elzy red-shirted last season but looked OK in the spring.
The Future-Ryan Houston could win the job despite being a true freshman. He might be the biggest back in the league.

11. Duke-C-
The Starter-Justin Boyle is not terrible as he had 91 carries for 358 yards and five touchdowns. The problem is the offensive line is not great and Duke plans on throwing the ball more in 2007.
The Depth- ReQuan Boyette is another good back. In fact he is better than Duke deserves but he should not do more than his 388 yards and two touchdowns from a year ago.
Ronnie Drummer is not as big or powerful as Boyette or Boyle but he is solid.
The Future- Cameron Jones is a speed guy that catches the ball well.

12. Virginia-D
The Starter-Cedric Peerman is an average back in this league. He is the leading returning rusher as a back but only carried the ball 46 times for 153 yards with zero touchdowns. Virginia has had only one 1,000-yard rusher under Al Groh.
The Depth- Mikell Simpson is the fastest back on campus but he has little experience. Keith Payne is a huge back that should be the short yardage specialist.
The Future- Max Milien and Raynard Horne are two freshmen that may get a look in an attempt to revamp the running game.

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